Page:The Christian Witness - Vol. 1 - 1834.pdf/29

Rh situation. Let us weigh His mind concerning us. The Lord has made known His purpose in Him, and how those purposes are affected. “He hath made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fulness of times, He should gather together in one all things in Christ, whether they be things in heaven, or things on earth, even in Him, in whom we also have received an inheritance.” In one, and in Christ. In Him alone therefore can we find this unity; but the blessed word (who can be thankful enough for it) will inform us further.—It is as to its earthly members “gathering together in one, the children of God who are scattered abroad.” And how is this? “That one man should die for them.” As our Lord in the vision of the fruit of the travail of His soul declares, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me; this He said signifying what death He should die.” It is then Christ who will draw, will draw to Himself, and nothing short of or less than this can produce unity. “He that gathereth not with Him, scattereth.” And draw to himself by being lifted up from the earth. In a word, we find His death is the centre of communion, till His coming again, and in this rests the whole power of truth. Accordingly, the outward symbol and instrument of unity is the partaking of the Lord’s supper, “for we being many are one body, for we are all partakers of that one bread.” And what does St. Paul declare to be the true intent and testimony of that rite? That “whensoever we eat of that bread and drink of that cup, we do shew forth the Lord’s death till He come.” Here then are found the character and life of the Church, that into which it is called, that in which the truth of its existence subsists, and in which alone is true unity. It is “shewing forth the Lord’s death,” by the efficiency of which, they were gathered, and which is the fruitful seed of the Lords own glory; which is indeed the gathering of His body, “the fulness of Him that filleth all in all;” and shewing it forth in the assurance of His coming, “when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.” Accordingly the essence and substance of unity which will appear in glory at His coming, is conformity to His death, by which that glory was all wrought. And it will be found in result, that conformity to His death will be our frame for glory with Him at His appearing, as